WILD TALES OF RABID RACCOONS AND PERSISTENT EDITORS

By Nancy Robards Thompson

After years of journaling and writing for various Central Florida newspapers, I got serious about fiction in 1997.

I quickly learned that writing a novel is a far cry from jotting down thoughts in a notebook or crafting a feature piece for the paper. Even though I had a lot to learn, I read voraciously and chipped away at my writing goal by rising at 5 a.m. every day before work to write two pages of my book. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined.

I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but I did my best to learn from them. In early 2003, after countless rejections and near misses, my agent called with good news: a publisher was interested in reading the full manuscript of my women’s fiction novel, Reinventing Olivia. It was the fourth novel I had written over six years—the previous three hadn’t sold.

For those unfamiliar with the process, submitting a book proposal often involves sending a few chapters and a short synopsis. If an editor likes what they read, they might request the full manuscript.

There was just one small problem with this request for the complete manuscript—I had only written three chapters of the book. But once you hook an editor, you’d be crazy to let them slip away.

So, I made a promise: I’d have the book finished in three weeks.

Determined to finish the book, I wrote like my publishing life depended on it. It did. Opportunities like that didn’t come around often. Of course, despite my well-structured schedules, life had other plans: my little cat, Baby, went missing.  

Baby was a feral cat who had adopted us. She had no desire to come inside, preferring to be the princess of our backyard. In her three-year reign of the land, she’d never missed a meal. When she didn’t show up for her breakfast one morning, I was concerned, but I forced myself to focus on the book because I had less than a week before I had to turn it in. 

The next day, still no sign of Baby. That afternoon, when I went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea, I spotted a large raccoon lurking in our backyard. Raccoons don’t typically roam during daylight—unless they’re very hungry or sick. This one didn’t look well. And he was massive—at least three times the size of our cat, who barely weighed seven pounds after a big meal.

I opened the back door to shoo him away. He stared at me as if to say, You talking to me? Then he sauntered over to the cat food and ate Baby’s lunch.  

The raccoon was still lingering when my husband came home from work. Watching from the window, I saw him grab a “super-soaker” water gun in an attempt to chase the creature off. Just as the backyard showdown was unfolding, the phone rang.

I glanced at the caller ID—it was a long-distance number from the area code where the publisher was located. My heart pounded. I was so close to finishing the book. The fate of my publishing career was quite literally on the line, as I watched utter chaos unfold before my eyes. 

Reluctant to let the editor get away, I answered the call. As I said hello, the raccoon lunged at my husband, he ditched the squirt gun and made a mad dash for the house, barely escaping an attack.

My agent had given the editor my number. He was calling to make sure I was on track. A place in his lineup had opened up and he was… hopeful that my book would be a good fit. I don’t remember exactly what I said to him, but I know I promised the manuscript would be ready by the following Monday. 

Never fear, this tale has a happy ending. My husband and my cat, who finally came home after the raccoon left (we quit putting cat food out and he moved on), made it through the battle unscathed. I worked hard and finished the book, turning it in as promised. 

A week later, my agent called with the wonderful news that I had sold my first book. 

I’m sharing my story for a couple of reasons. First, in this business, rarely does success happen overnight. Some authors do sell the first book they write, but more often, it takes years to hone for an author to hone her voice and storytelling skills. Don’t give up. Even after facing rejections that feel endless, you never know when success will happen—it could be with your very next project. So, keep writing. 

Secondly, life will never be perfect or convenient when you’re trying to finish a book. You have to carve out time to write anyway. That doesn’t mean neglecting yourself or your family, but it does mean making small sacrifices—turning off the TV, staying off social media, or waking up a little earlier to get those words down. Even if you can’t hit your daily word count, write what you can. Every single word puts you closer to finishing your book.

Now, more than 20 years and 50 books later, Reinventing Olivia is out of print, but I’ve recently embraced independent publishing. I’ll be updating and re-releasing Olivia later this year. In the meantime, I’d love for you to check out my St. Michel series, a collection of stories brimming with royal intrigue, family secrets, rekindled romance, and second chances—all set in a Mediterranean paradise.

The Romantic St. Michel Series

From royal intrigue and family secrets to rekindled romances and second chances, the charming St. Michel series presents unforgettable love stories in a Mediterranean paradise. Lose yourself in the glittering world of St. Michel, where romance blooms against a backdrop of sunlit seas and timeless charm.

Book 1: The Lost Princess of St. Michel
Book 2: The Long Way Home
Book 3: The One Who Got Away – March 2025
Book 4: The Art of Starting Over – Coming 2025
Book 5: The Promise of Provence – Coming soon

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7W2QFK6

Love Cozy Mysteries?

I also write the Wedding Bell Mysteries, featuring a mother-daughter duo sleuthing their way through love, laughter, and murder. It all takes place in the fictional town of Hemlock, North Carolina, where small-town charm meets big-time crime! This series has even been optioned for television—I hope to share more details soon!

Learn more about the Wedding Bell Mysteries here

And stay tuned—I have a brand-new cozy mystery series and more books on the horizon!

Connect with me!
Facebook: Nancy Robards Thompson Author / Nancy Robards Thompson Books
Instagram: @NancyRThompson
Newsletter: Sign up here

—

About Nancy Robards Thompson

USA Today Bestselling Author Nancy Robards Thompson has written more than 50 books spanning cozy mysteries, romance, and women’s fiction. Her work, praised as funny, smart, and observant, has been translated into 12 languages and published in 22 countries. A former newspaper reporter who found fiction far more inspiring than just the facts, Nancy now delights readers worldwide with her engaging novels. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and their Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

©Nancy Robards Thompson 2025

 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips